South Florida's nuclear power plant is helping the American crocodile move from the state's endangered list to classification as threatened.
Biologists said the crocodiles are thriving in waters used to help harness nuclear power, in the cooling canals of Turkey Point's nuclear power plant.
In the water used to cool the plant's condenser, a resurgence of a species once on the state's endangered list -- the American crocodile -- is occurring.
Mario Aldecoa is the wildlife expert Florida Power and Light hires to monitor the area's booming crocodile population. April is nesting season, and Aldecoa said he is monitoring at least 30 nests in the area, an incredible jump from when just one was spotted in the 1970s.
The manmade canals with their raised berms and little disturbance from humans are an ideal spot for crocodiles.
"This is really loose soil. It is also elevated, so it doesn't flood out in the rainy season," Aldecoa said.
The eggs under the soil will hatch in late June or early July.
"The females will come back up, excavate the nest, crack the shells in her mouth and then take her hatchlings to the water," Aldecoa said.
The hatchlings will join an estimated 400 crocodiles living in the area, more than the number believed to comprise the entire statewide population four decades ago.
"Everyone needs power. I am going to go home and put my light on in my house. But at the same time, we are helping out a species, and I think that's really neat," Aldecoa said.
